While Norbert Herczig is already a fully-fledged Team MRF Tyres driver with several FIA European Rally Championship (ERC) podiums to his name, his son Patrik is just taking his first steps into international rallying.
Both drivers were in action at the Azores Rallye last month, with Patrik making his championship debut in the Clio Trophy by Toksport WRT. It might still be early days, but the youngster has his sights set on forging a career in the sport.
“It’s really interesting,” said Herczig junior on competing alongside his father. “We can speak during the rally, about the stages and things like that.
“I need experience, and he has lots and lots of it. He can help me with everything, so it’s really good to have him here.
“My plan is clear for me. To gain experience, I need many years in Rally5 and Rally4 cars. Once I have that experience and speed, I would like to go with Rally2 cars, but we will see how can I do that,” he added.
The Azores Rallye was a baptism of fire for the 19-year-old, with on-off heavy rain and thick fog characterising the weekend.
Nevertheless, the teenager drove a clean rally only for disaster to strike on the penultimate stage when he rolled his Clio Rally5. Herczig senior fared better, finishing up eighth overall in an MRF-shod Fabia Rally2.
“It was my hardest rally of my life,” recalled Patrik. “The weather conditions were really hard with heavy rain, so it was not easy. I was very careful on Saturday, but we made it to the end of the day.
“On Sunday, the weather was much better and our speed was also better, even though I was still being very careful because it’s my first year and I would like to finish the rallies. Unfortunately I made a small mistake and we rolled, so our rally was finished.”
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